New York Knicks The Knicks’ luxury that let them sit out LeBron James chase comes with a heavy reality By Jared Schwartz Published July 27, 2026, 7:54 p.m. ET Lakers forward LeBron James gives chase as New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson passes the ball. JASON SZENES/ NY POST A move the Knicks didn’t make this offseason is likely to garner much more attention than any that they did make.
The Knicks’ disinterest in LeBron James represents their new reality — and more importantly their new pressure.
That LeBron was willing to accept such little money — he signed a two-year deal worth just under $8 million with the 76ers, with the second season being a player option — only adds fuel to the Knicks’ decision not to pursue him. So does the fact that he went to a direct Knicks rival — in the nearest city — in Philadelphia.
It was clear the Knicks did not have much interest in LeBron and that they did not make a serious effort to sign him, despite his apparent availability. The Post’s Stefan Bondy reported earlier this month that the Knicks and LeBron checked in together at the start of free agency but that a deal was always “very, very unlikely.” And LeBron’s agent, Rich Paul, on his “Game Over” podcast acknowledged that LeBron had interest in the Knicks but that, given their status as the champions and the success that their current core has had, a pairing did not make sense for either party.
